Wild Bird Food

Bird seed mixture

Proprietary mixtures are already widely available for wild birds and are advertised in Birds, the RSPB's quarterly magazine for members. Different mixes have been formulated for feeders and for table/ground feeding.

The better mixtures contain plenty of flaked maize, sunflower seeds, and broken peanuts. If the mix contains peanuts, please use it only in winter. Small seeds, such as millet, attract mostly house sparrows, dunnocks, finches, reed buntings and collared doves, while flaked maize is taken readily by blackbirds and dunnocks.

Tits and green finches favour peanuts and sunflower seeds. Pinhead oatmeal is excellent for many birds. Wheat and barley grains are often included in seed mixtures but they are really only suitable for pigeons, doves and pheasants, which feed on the ground and rapidly increase their numbers frequently deterring the smaller species and upsetting neighbours.

Avoid seed mixtures that have split peas, beans, dried rice or lentils as again only the large species can eat them dry. Any mixture containing green or pink lumps should also be avoided as that is dog biscuit, which can only be eaten when soaked.

Black sunflower seeds

These first appeared in the bird food market in the early 1980s and in many areas have now become even more popular for birds than peanuts.

Peanuts

These are rich in fat and are popular with tits, greenfinches, house sparrows, nuthatches, great spotted woodpeckers and siskins, although black sunflower seeds are now a preferred food in many gardens. You can buy peanut kernels (whole, broken or sliced) for wild birds in bulk from dealers advertising in Birds. Peanut granules are also popular. Crushed or grated nuts attract robins, dunnocks and even wrens. Nuthatches and coal tits may hoard peanuts and black sunflower seeds. Salted peanuts should not be used. Peanuts can be high in a natural toxin, which can kill birds so buy from a reputable dealer who will guarantee freedom from aflatoxin. If a number of birds start dying or looking ill, please telephone the RSPB for advice immediately.

Bird cake

Make by pouring melted fat (suet or lard) onto a mixture of ingredients such as seeds, nuts, dried fruit, oatmeal, cheese and cake. Use about one-third fat to two-thirds mixture. Stir well in a bowl and turn out onto the birdtable when solid. An empty coconut shell makes an ideal bird cake 'feeder'.

Coconut

Fresh coconut in the shell is very popular with tits. Rinse out any residues of the sweet coconut water from the middle of the coconut before hanging it out to prevent the build-up of mildew. Desiccated coconut is unsuitable as bird food.

Mealworms and waxworms

Mealworms are relished by robins and may attract insect-eating birds such as pied wagtails. Supplies can be obtained from advertised dealers in pet and wild bird food. You can also culture your own mealworms - ask for our information sheet (The cost of postage or a small donation would be most welcome.) Waxworms are a recent addition to wild bird food and are excellent but expensive. Proprietary foods are also available for insect-eating birds from bird food suppliers and pet shops. Ant pupae, insectivorous and softbill food, yolk of hard-boiled egg, and even crushed peanuts or black sunflower seeds can attract treecreepers and wrens.

Household items suitable for birds

Crumbled brown and white bread is suitable, but moisten if very dry.
Pastry, cooked or uncooked is excellent especially if it has been made with real fats.
Cooked rice, brown or white, without added salt.
Dry porridge oats or coarse oatmeal.
Fat, including suet, is particularly welcomed by tits, great spotted woodpeckers, thrushes and wrens. However, do not put out polyunsaturated fats, since they do not give the birds the high levels of energy they require in winter.
Bacon rind, chopped up finely for robins or suspended on string for tits, can be of benefit, but avoid salty bacon.
Mild grated cheese is a favourite with robins, dunnocks, blackbirds and song thrushes. It will also help wrens if placed under hedgerows and other areas in your garden where you have noticed them feeding.
Bones with some fat or meat attached are good, but keep small bones, especially those of poultry, out of reach of cats and dogs, and if possible, secure them with string to prevent birds flying away with them.
Potatoes - baked (cold or opened up), roast and even mashed with added real fats are all suitable. Wildfowl will also enjoy them. Chips are rarely eaten.
Dried fruits, such as raisins, sultanas and currents are particularly enjoyed by blackbirds, song thrushes and robins.
Apples, pears and other fruit, including bruised and part rotten ones, cut up, are very popular with all thrushes, tits and starlings.

To find out more please visit the RSPB website